Traditionally, divisions are
created by using a thin paper strip and relational geometry to segment
the ball in very specific ways according to the laws of nature (physics
& geometry). The Standard Divisions are the only ways that centers or poles can be
evenly distributed with 3-dimensional symmetry on the surface of a
sphere (that is, the spaces between and the angles between the points
are equal). It's not some engineering feat that was invented but
rather that humans observed and learned how to use these naturally
occurring happenings. The temari makers of old, hundreds of years ago,
recognized these patterns in nature and found ways to reproduce them
just as artisans and craftsmen through the ages have observed the world
around them, and harnessed its knowledge.

Using the paper strip to determine
relative distances on the ball, pins are used to place landmarks on the
mari for such points as the north and south pole and the equator, which
are then connected by wrapping thin thread around the ball. Each of
these wraps of thread must, and does, go fully around the circumference
of the ball, so that any one of them would divide the ball into
hemispheres. Such a line of thread is called a division
line. Collectively, the thread lines placed on the mari are
called jiwari.

There are many times when
additional marking
lines may be placed on the mari, but they are just that: marking lines, not division lines,
since they do not meet the criteria described above in terms of function
and outcome. Additional marking lines may further subdivide sections
into smaller sections, etc. It is important to remember that all
division lines are marking lines, but not all marking lines are
division lines. Areas outlined by marking lines are called mentai in Japanese. While there is
no limit to the number or manner that extra marking lines can be applied
thus creating extra mentai, there are some extra
mentai that are more commonly used.

The primary division of
temari is the Simple/Vertical Division
(either term can be used interchangeably). The Simple/Vertical division
divides the mari simply, or vertically, into wedges from north to south
(like an orange), with a perpendicular equator at the midline. In
addition to being used as is to create designs, it is also the division
from which the other two Standard Divisions evolve. A north
and south pole is achieved, and the equator
identified. Thread lines are then wrapped around the full circumference
of the mari, going from north
pole to equator to south pole to equator, back to the north pole. This
is repeated the required number of times for the needed Simple #
Division. The equator is always laid down in a Simple Division unless
the pattern states otherwise. For example, if one were creating a Simple
4 Division: divide the equator into 4 equal sections (mark with pin).
Anchor the thread at the NP, wrap to a pin on equator, continue to SP,
then to pin opposite first equator pin, and back to NP. 2 full
circumvention wraps around the mari has divided it into 4 equal, 3-D
symmetrical sections (or wedges). A thread is then wrapped around the
middle, perpendicular to the vertical threads, as the equator. In
the example in the photo to the right, 8 sections were created. Thus,
the completed division is a Simple 8: use the number of sections created
in the division to name it. Any number of vertical sections can be
created in a Simple Division, be it odd or even. One need only be able
to section the equator into the required number. Once the simple
division is accomplished, it can be used for stitching or as the basis
to advance it to a Combination Division. It's also important to note
that designs stitched on Simple Divisions need not always be considered
"simple". Many beautiful and intricate designs can be created on Simple
Divisions, as well as it being the starting place to learn temari.

A Combination Division (Kumiawase) is begins with as
a simple division, but then has additional poles of the same value as
the starting Simple Division "combined", or added onto it, such that the
centers or poles are equally spaced around the ball (that is, both the
distance between them is equal, and the angles that form between any
three centers are equal). This can only be accomplished, according to
the laws of nature, to create an 8 Combination (often abbreviated C8)
from a Simple 8, and to create a 10 Combination (C10) from a Simple
10. An 8-Combination Division has additional 8-point centers added
on, for a total of 6, all equally spaced around the ball. A 10-
Combination division has additional 10-point centers added on to it, for
a total of 12, all equally spaced around the ball.

Hatitoubun no Kumiawase -
C8 Division

Jyuttoubu no kumiawase -
C10 Division

The Combination Divisions create specific shapes or face (mentai) that
are also 3D symmetrical. A C8 will have 4 more eight pt centers
added (combined) on to the mari, which will yield in total six 8-point
centers (squares), eight 6-point centers (triangles), and 12 four-point
centers (diamonds). A C10 will have 10 more 10-pt centers added, which
will yield in total twelve 10-point centers (pentagons), twenty 6-point
centers (triangles), and thirty 4-point centers (diamonds). An example
of each center is outlined for each in the diagrams below:

These basic, unique divisions are
the ones accepted in Japan and taught by the JTA, have come down through
temari history, and also that meet geometry and math requirements. A
division is an execution that divides the mari into 3-D symmetrical,
geometric shapes using marking lines that go all away around the
circumference of the ball; the smallest shapes created are all the same;
these lines result in evenly spaced intersections (poles), each
with 4 or more angles around them ( the same number of angles created in
the original simple division). Being able to execute these standard
divisions are the skills that one is expected to learn as a temari
crafter.

Remembering the difference
between a marking line and a division line, while there are 3 standard
divisions, there are an infinite number of markings. Beyond the standard
divisions, any other needed marking lines are usually specified and
directed in individual patterns. Some of them are more common, and have
evolved nicknames of their own, but always remember that
they are markings, not divisions. Understanding these standard
divisions and being able to recognize them (for example, a Simple
division has 2 main poles; a C8 has 6 main poles, and a C10 has 12 main
poles) is the absolute foundation of being able to look at a temari or
illustration, and begin to "see" how to re-create the pattern, write up
pattern notes and directions, create your own
patterns.

There are of course, many (many!)
modifications of these divisions, that are accomplished by adding extra
marking lines and/or sometimes removing some marking lines. These
modified markings however, still start with one of the basic
divisions listed above, rather than their own, unique technique and are
not geometrically unique by definition. You may see isolated, special
"divisions" described in a particular pattern, but it really turns out
that any one of these really starts with one of the unique basic
divisions, which then has specific marking lines added or removed from
the original division. And yes, it is possible to lay down "random"
marking lines that are not creating a division but DO create a stitching
grid; again, this is a marking, not a division.

Mastering the standard divisions is
the first and major step in learning to make temari. It's not difficult,
given there are only 3; one is not expected to have a working repertoire
of markings committed to memory, but they are expected to master and use
the standard divisions. Each of them have their unique &
traditional method method of placing the pins needed for the
centers; there may be more than one method to lay down the thread lines.
Shortcuts are fine - as long as there is an understanding of what the
outcome is, and why - recognizing the shapes and layout on the mari in
the end, and seeing it as a standard division. Diagrams of divisions can
be downloaded from the
Pattern Grids page.